That handful of people doesn't even thrive. That's the sad reality of it all.

The people stealing our time do not even know what to do with it. They live empty lives, fruitlessly looking for the thing that can fill up the hole within.

I mean look at Trump. What is sadder than a 80-year old who still yearns to be popular among the popular kids, like an insecure teenager.

They have the money and the time but at the end of the day they are miserable.

I mean, life in general is pretty exhausting. You know how birds fly away when you walk too close? It's not because they're jerks, it's because they're scared if they don't, they'll die. Life in a state of nature is praying you don't get hurt and thus get eaten and to constantly either be looking for food, trying not to get eaten and recovering. (Some animals, like whales have it a bit easier but still...)

This is just a scarcity society.

The issue is that scarcity to this extent is not believable, but may feel artificial. In particular with the exploits of the past enabling a "better" life, in particular for the western, white men.

And it is artificial to an extent.